Marriage (Nikah) and the Age Limit: The Islamic Perspective and Pakistani Laws

A bill has been passed in Pakistan with reference to the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, with the aim of preventing the marriage of underage boys and girls.

The age requirements also differ across Pakistan's provinces:

1. In Punjab and Balochistan, the minimum age is 16 years for girls and 18 years for boys.
2. In Sindh and Islamabad, the minimum age is 18 years for both boys and girls.

Law:

If anyone marries before reaching the prescribed age, the law will take action.

Penalty:

A fine of Rs. 50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Marriage (Nikah) preserves the moral fabric of society and promotes social stability. We live in an Islamic society; therefore, our system should also be based on Islamic social principles. In Islam, there is no fixed age limit for marriage; rather, puberty is the condition. Do not undermine the purity of Islam merely to promote a Western agenda.

Islam has granted the right to marry at a young age. No court in the world has the authority to deprive a boy or a girl of their Islamic rights simply to satisfy the wishes of a few individuals while disregarding Islamic teachings. Islam is a complete code of life. For the sake of a few coins, its principles should not be thrown into disorder.

An Islamic Perspective:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said:

"When a son is born to someone, give him a good name. When he reaches puberty, marry him. If he reaches puberty and is not married, and then falls into sin, the burden of that sin will be upon his parents."

Those who are working according to a Western agenda! If you make age the determining factor for marriage, then immorality will spread further in society, and our society will move even more toward moral decline—something we cannot afford.

Today, I vividly remember what my respected elder used to say:

"This message will not remain confined to the mosque loudspeakers; it will spread far and wide."

Indeed, this message will spread far and wide. According to this view, the Western agenda is to promote immorality in Pakistan by passing this law, which, it is argued, will lead to fewer marriages.

Final Words:

Islam stands above every constitution, above every law, and takes precedence over every individual. Do not seek the approval of Western powers for the sake of a few coins. Do not bind the golden principles of Sharia with the chains of legislation.

Remember: When the door to marriage is closed, a hundred windows to sin are opened.